Even though the author was inspired by real events, I completely read it as a work of fiction and enjoyed everything about the book, except the epilogue. I wish I didn't read the epilogue, because it seemed so incongruous to everything that preceded it. Until the epilogue, I was all in. The story is about a group of international individuals who are attending the birthday party of a Japanese CEO at the home of a South American vice-president. Just as a world famous opera singer (who was invited specifically by the birthday boy) is completing her final aria, a group of terrorists invade the home and take the guests hostage. You would think because terrorists and hostages are involved that this is going to be a story about violence, anger, torture and murder. It is the exact opposite. It is a story about finding yourself, friendship, love and forgiveness. Violence against women is so prevalent in today's world that it was a breath of fresh air to read a story where no women were raped or beaten!
The story covers the duration of the hostage crisis from the perspective of both the hostages and the terrorists keeping them. Some unlikely friendships and romances develop even in the midst of everyone not speaking the same language. There is conveniently a polyglot translator among the hostages and he is a key character.
The writing is lovely and this is a story that cannot be devoured quickly. Opera is a main character in the book and the book is reminiscent of a tragic opera. Sometimes you can see a book becoming a movie as you read it, but this one you could see becoming an opera. A very beautiful, tragic opera.
